Reigning Division 1 champions Headington A suffered a shock 4½-1½ defeat at Oxford City & County A on the opening night of the Oxford & District League, sponsored by Yarnton Nurseries.

Ray Gaskin’s rink the led the way in the home team’s 92-72 victory with a 24-8 win over Mark Charlett.

Banbury Central A eased to a 5-1 success at local rivals Banbury Chestnuts.

John Tee and Will Campion’s rinks recorded 30-11 and 24-14 wins respecitvely.

Paul Sharman’s 33-6 victory ensured Carterton an equally comfortable 5-1 victory at West Witney.

In Division 3, Henry Franklin’s 36-6 victory was the highlight of Watlington’s 6-0 win over visitors Bloxham.

The oddest result came in Division 4 where Banbury Central B drew 3-3 at home to South Oxford B.

Central lost on three rinks, but came out on top 84-66 on shots due to skip Bob Wilkins 34-shot victory on the final rink.

RESULTS

Division 1

Banbury Chestnuts 64 (1pt), Banbury Central A 92 (5) (Chestnuts skips first): D Munslow 21, I Whelpton 14; B Neal 18, M Andrew 24: B Ray 11, J Tee 30, R Maris 14, W Campion 24.

Oxford City & County A 92 (4½), Headington A 72 (1½) (City & County skips first): R Gaskins 24, M Charlett 8; A Ley 23, I Snowdon 15; M Hancock 22, H Watts 22; C Earl 23, J King 27.

West Witney 67 (1), Carterton 94 (5) (West Witney skips first): P Skidmore 23, R Clanfield 14; H Williams 16, G Walker 23; K Alder 22, S Richens 24; M Hitchcox 6, P Sharman 33.

Division 2

Bicester 76 (5), Thame 74 (1) (Bicester skips first): P Hooley 17, R Slater 15; M Graves 15, L Lewis 22; K Taylor 19, L Wescott 17; A Hall 25, A Twinn 20.

Charlbury 80 (4), Shiplake 77 (2) (Charlbury skips first): D Dix 16, B Evans 25; J Stevens 21, B Lambourne 19; D Cooper 27, G Kennedy 10; N Siford 16, J Bland 23.

South Oxford A 83 (6), Witney Town 73 (0) (South Oxford skips first): H Payne 23, M Jones 18; G Young 15, T Ludlow 14; R Claridge 22, B Stewart 20; K Mobley 23, B Smith 21.

Division 3

Watlington 125 (6), Bloxham 37 (0) (Watlington skips first): B Gilkes 24, J Lucas 13; G Hooker 30, T Gardner 7; S Gilkes 35, R Hopkins 11; H Franklin 36, J Stephens 6.

Chipping Norton 83 (6), Blackbird Leys 68 (0) (Chipping Norton skips first): S Davis 18, R Brain 17; D Barnes 19, M Mansell 16; K Field 21, S O'Keefe 17; P Rathbone 25, M Major 18.

Headington B 74 (2), Woodstock 82 (4) (Headington skips first): S Gould 28, B Clarke 18; M Kershaw 13, D Coleman 23; A Peters 15, R Wright 24; R Edwards 18, J Stone 17.

Oxford Club 52 (1), Oxford City & County B 101 (5) (Oxford skips first): M Bracewell 19, C Pollard 14; G Watts 14, C Lewis 28; M Cadd 6, G Kerr 31; P Ilott 13, N Satchell 28.

Division 4

Adderbury 72 (6), Florence Park 27½ (0) (Adderbury skips first): C Skidmore 25, A Thomas 3; P Gladden 16, C Harris 9; T Ely 13, P Booth 11.5; J Dancer 18, I Gray 4.

Banbury Central B 87 (3), South Oxford B 66 (3) (Banbury Central skips first): R Wilkins 39, T Hookman 5; R Havard 15, P Woodville 20; B Collins 17, B Edmondson 24.

Hanborough 64 (1), West Oxford 84 (5) (Hanborough skips first): G Haynes 20, E Fry 27; M Oliver 22, M Alderson 19; P Warner 10, B Murphy 17; C Hayley 12, P Moffat 21.

Oxford University Press 112 (6), Chadlington 42 (0) (OUP skips first): P Rathbone 29, P Cornish 15; C Smart 21, P Tweddle 12; J Benfield 25, G Giles 10; P Madeley 37, K Brown 5.

WEST Oxford, whose green is in Botley Park, are looking to recruit new members.

Anyone interested is invited to come along on Mondays from 7pm.

The club are also holding open sessions on Friday, May 24 (5.30-8pm) and Saturday, May 25 (10am-12).

More details on 01865 436277 or 01235 527002, or email marion@bostock4. wanadoo.co.uk.